The
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for
Heroism or Extraordinary Achievement
in Aerial Flight
“Every Distinguished Flying Cross has a story.
We make sure it is never forgotten.”
News and reunion updates
DFC Award Ceremonies
NEWS | Sept. 8, 2026
94th Fighter Squadron and 149th FS Airmen awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
By Tech Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster 1st Fighter Wing
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.-- –
Four pilots assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, and two from the 149th FS, 192nd Wing, were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, for actions while deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, during a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Aug. 31, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony and presented the decorations to the recipients, recognizing their courage, skill and airmanship that earned them one of the nation's highest honors, the Distinguished Flying Cross.
“We haven't awarded many of these in the last few decades, as it's intended to recognize true heroism and highly exceptional accomplishment in flight which means that it should be rare and it is,” said Spain.
The ceremony highlighted the actions of the warfighters and the role their efforts played in advancing the 1st FW’s mission.
“Their job was to provide air superiority,” Spain said. “The bombers and the rest of the support package relied on these Raptor pilots to clear the skies, shield them from surface threats, and ensure a safe route through heavily contested airspace.”
Spain also recognized the Airmen, families and teammates whose support contributed to the recipients' success.
“For the families and friends, the late nights, the stressful days, changing deployment schedules…you carry that weight too. And so, you also share this accomplishment with them,” said Spain.
According to the Air Force Personnel Center, the Distinguished Flying Cross was authorized by Congress July 2, 1926, and was awarded first to Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh, of the U.S. Army Corps Reserve, for his solo flight of 3,600 miles across the Atlantic in 1927. It is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
The event also provided 1st FW and 192nd WG leadership an opportunity to emphasize the connection between individual excellence and the wing's ability to generate combat airpower.
Colonel Nicholas Sigler, 1st FW deputy commander, reaffirmed how airpower across the joint forces rely on, begins, and ends with our Airmen.
“The incredible accomplishments of those recounted here today stand testament to the thousands of Airmen that sacrifice to generate and sustain our nation’s Airpower,” Sigler said.
Building on that philosophy, Col. Andrew Weidner, 192nd WG commander, added that "While the Distinguished Flying Cross recognizes individual heroism and extraordinary achievement in the cockpit, the success of this complex mission belongs to an entire enterprise. Behind every decision made in flight stood an incredible Total Force team of maintainers, intelligence specialists, planners, and mission support personnel—as well as the unwavering support of our families back home who make our service possible."
Spain's closing remarks emphasized the recipients' accomplishments and the broader team responsible for enabling their success. The ceremony marked the continued focus at the 1st FW on developing ready Airmen and maintaining the combat capability required to execute the wing's mission.
“It was your support that enabled their excellence—from the maintainers, the operations team, the Intel professionals, and the logistics involved,” Spain said. “Let there be no doubt heroism like this is earned by the entire formation. These pilots were the leading edge that day, but the foundation of their success was laid by the hard work of the entire organization in the days prior and every day since. And that's what Air Force readiness looks like.”
Tech. Sgt. Adam Brister Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroic Alaska Rescue
Former Alaska Air National Guard pararescueman Tech. Sgt. Adam Brister was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary valor during a June 2018 rescue in Alaska’s Neacola Mountains.
After severe weather prevented a conventional hoist, Brister climbed toward an unconscious climber stranded on a narrow ledge following a 100-foot fall. During a brief opening in the clouds, an HH-60G crew conducted a dangerous nighttime hoist with its rotor blades approximately three feet from the cliff. Brister secured the climber and, when a rope became entangled during the extraction, cut the line while holding the patient—protecting both the survivor and the aircraft. He then provided lifesaving medical care during the flight.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry presented the medal to Brister on March 26, 2026, at the Louisiana Capitol. His courage, skill and determination exemplify the extraordinary service recognized by the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Coming in November,
a feature length film about World War II B-24 pilot and DFC recipient Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart.
Jimmy to open the Heartland Festival, October 8, 2026
Jimmy to premier in Fort Worth at the Lone Star Film Festival
November 4, 2026
DFCS Members in the News
DFC Recipient, the late Senator Ted Stevens (AK), to be honored with the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens
NORFOLK (May 15, 2026) The newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) arrives in its future homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, May 15, 2026. The U.S. Navy will commission the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) on a date to be announced at a later time in Whittier, Alaska.
Senator Stevens received a Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with the Flying Tigers in World War II. Senator Stevens was enrolled posthumously as a member of the DFC Society.
British Royal Air Force pilot, Air Commodore Alistair Monkman awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
AIR CDRE ALISTAIR MONKMAN CBE MA RAF (Ret’d) was born in May 1963 and educated at St Olave’s School, York; Ryde School, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Grammar School. Winning an RAF flying scholarship, he gained his private pilots’ licence aged 17. He flew for 4 years with Cambridge University Air Squadron before joining the Royal Air Force as a Tornado pilot in 1985. During 27 years of service with the RAF, Alistair served all over the world and flew over 500 hours of combat operations over Iraq, Serbia and Afghanistan. Between 1998-2000 he flew the F-117 Stealth Fighter on an Exchange tour with the United States Air Force and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for gallantry. He was awarded the Legion of Merit by the USA in recognition of his service in Afghanistan as the Director of Air Operations for NATO throughout 2010.
Commemorative Air Force Airsho
September 11-13
AIRSHO 2026
The 35th annual Commemorative Air Force High Sky Wing AIRSHO 2026 will Salute the Veterans from the Vietnam War and showcase the aircraft from Vietnam and beyond. We are proud to feature the iconic F-4 Phantom, F-100 Super Sabre, Skyraider and ground rattling pyrotechnics. Other aircraft thundering overhead include the Albatross, P-51, Corsair, Wildcat, and P-40, and B-25 to name a few.
Find ALL the information you need and to purchase tickets go to the website at www.AIRSHO.org
DFCS hosting inaugural evening event
at
River Rats Reunion in Dallas
The DFCS will host a buffet dinner with a guest speaker on Thursday October 15th to introduce the Distinguished Flying Cross Society to the River Rats. USAF Brigadier General Ron Rand (ret) will be the guest speaker.
Reunion Update - 22 March 2026
Registration for our 53rd Annual Real Reunion is now live, and available for your review. We listened to your feedback from last year's Reunion, and I wanted to call out a few details that I hope meet your approval:
THURSDAY - DFCS hosted buffet with guest speaker
FRIDAY'S FLIGHT SUIT PARTY - We listened to your feedback from last year, and are providing the option of registering with round-trip bus service or without. Also, the cost of the party includes self-serve beer and wine as opposed to waiting in lines at s cash bar.
TACTICS CONFERENCES - Instead of three back-to-back seminars, we will host one TC per day. This should improve attendance and make planning easier for attendees. If you're interested in presenting a TC this year, please send your proposal to me at irish@river-rats.org.
ONLINE REGISTRATION - We've created a stand-alone secure site to submit your online registrations. Initial feedback has been that this new site is much more user friendly than last year's. Our host platform is Zeffy, a system designed especially for nonprofits. While there is no cost for us to use Zeffy, the system does prompt users to make a voluntary donation at the end of the registration process.
For more information, please check the link below:
2027 DFC Society Reunion
The date for the 2027 Distinguished Flying Cross Society Reunion has been set for November 2–4, 2027, in Pensacola, Florida.
Members will also have the option to stay an additional night and attend the Navy Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on November 5.
More details, including the reunion schedule, hotel information, registration, and planned events, will be provided as times and arrangements are confirmed.
Mark your calendars—we look forward to seeing you in Pensacola!
MARINE FIGHTER FORAY 2026
The MARINE FIGHTER FORAY is on the flight schedule for October 14 – 18, 2026. The Foray will be at the same location as the 2022 Phantom Phoray: Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/dfwrd-hyatt-regency-dallas)
And… the Foray is not just for air crew. We highly encourage any and all Marine enlisted, officer, maintenance, admin, support and family members of the Marine fighter community to attend. Also, if your squadron already holds squadron reunions, consider piggybacking off the Foray and have your reunion concurrent with the Foray in Dallas. Contact the Foray Ops O for details.
The Marine Fighter Foray schedule and venue will replicate the 2022 Phantom Phoray, only much larger since the Foray is being opened up to all Marine Fighter communities. There will be:
- Symposiums
- F-18 and F-35 status and combat deployment briefs to include Iran-Iraq and Afghanistan battle strategies and operations; and
of course… individual “There I was” stories/yarns/tales - Flight jacket / squadron shirts happy hours
- Squadron dinners and photos
- Marine Corps University Interviews
- Professional Group Displays (Martin Baker ejection seats, Lockheed Martin F-35, Top Gun, Distinguished Flying Cross Society)
- Golf tournament
An Overdue Distinction for a Korean War Flying Ace
A new law allows Royce Williams, 100, to receive the medal of honor. Trump should follow up quickly.
On December 22, the Wall Street Journal published an article about retired Navy Captain Royce Willams who will soon receive the Medal of Honor:
"Buried in a recent 3,000-page defense policy bill is good news that won’t receive enough attention. The legislation would allow a living legend of naval aviation to receive the nation’s highest military honor. A Defense Department video called 100-year-old Royce Williams the “forgotten fighter ace of the Korean war.” His valor is worth remembering on its merits, and the history is instructive about the threats now facing the U.S. President Trump should move quickly to award Capt. Williams the medal of honor."
Task & Purpose published the following article that provides background about the actions leading to the final decision to award Captain Williams the Medal of Honor:
Published Dec 8, 2025 3:52 PM EST
Legendary Navy aviator Royce Williams, who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 fighters in 1952, is the inspiration for legislation that would make it easier for troops and veterans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Photos via the U.S. Naval Institute and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, scoring four aerial victories, Royce Williams might finally get the Medal of Honor.
Over the weekend, Congress released the text for the compromise National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill outlining spending plans and goals. This year, it is a record $901 billion. Nestled into the large defense appropriations bill is Sec. 591, which would upgrade Williams’ Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor for “acts of valor during the Korean War.”
Those acts involve taking on seven Soviet MiG-15s in a 35-minute dogfight almost singlehandedly, in a battle that was kept under wraps for years despite Williams’ achievements.
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams — then a Navy lieutenant flying in his Grumman F9F-5 Panther for his second mission that day — was with three other aviators over the Sea of Japan when seven Soviet Air Force fighter planes emerged. Two of the American planes had to return to their ships due to mechanical issues, leaving just Williams and his wingman in the skies as the Soviets closed in. As they flew by, Williams let out a burst of his F9F’s guns, scoring a hit. One MiG went down, with Williams’ wingman breaking off to chase it. Royce Williams was now alone, against six Soviet pilots in jets that were more advanced than his.
Over the course of 35 minutes, Williams banked and weaved his Panther, trying to avoid getting in the MiGs’ sights. He quickly downed a second Soviet jet, and kept using his maneuverability to line up passing shots with his limited ammo. He took out a third. Then he heavily damaged another that was eventually lost.
“In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job,” Williams told Task & Purpose in 2022. “I was only shooting what I had.”
Eventually, he ran out of ammunition and was forced to break off. He flew back to the Navy task force — which fired on him at first, mistaking him for the many more Soviet planes that had outnumbered him — and managed to land. After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his Panther. Somehow, Williams and the plane survived.
For his actions in the wild dogfight that day, Williams was awarded a Silver Star. But his actions were covered up — and his official victories listed as downing one enemy plane and damaging another — over fears it could heighten U.S.-Soviet tensions. So for the rest of his career, which included actions in Vietnam and commanding a ship, his record stayed that way, the truth kept hidden. It was only in the 21st century that retired Capt. Williams’ story came out.
For more than a decade, there has been a push to get Williams the Medal of Honor, with backers including retired Rear Adm. Doniphan Shelton and members of Congress. Three years ago, in December 2022, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro upgraded his Silver Star to a Navy Cross, saying that Williams “clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve[s] proper recognition.” Williams received the award in January 2023.
The text in this year’s defense spending bill would authorize awarding Williams, who is now 100, the Medal of Honor and waive any time limitations on presenting him with the award.
Voting on the bill is expected this month.
